Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag: 'Jadon Sancho return is up to him'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 09 December 2023

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says that Jadon Sancho "knows what he has to do" in order to be be reintroduced into the first team at Old Trafford.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that Jadon Sancho "knows what he has to do" in order to be brought back into the first-team picture at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old has not featured for the Red Devils since the end of August due to a falling-out with Ten Hag, which stemmed from him being left out against Arsenal at the start of September.

Ten Hag said that Sancho did not feature due to poor performances in training, but the England international insisted that was not the case, effectively calling his manager a liar.

Sancho has been removed from the first-team picture entirely, and he is widely expected to leave the club during the January transfer window, with Juventus seen as the favourites to sign him.

However, a recent report claimed that Sancho's first choice would be to return to Borussia Dortmund, with the two clubs believed to have met on Friday to discuss a possible deal.

Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho on July 30, 2023 © Reuters

Ten Hag was asked about the Englishman during his press conference to preview Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

The Dutchman said that the onus is on the player when it comes to a possible return, with Sancho allegedly needing to issue an apology to his manager before he is brought back in.

"He knows what he has to do. It's up to him," Ten Hag told reporters.

"So, it's about culture and every player has to match certain standards, and it was about that. So, what will happen, yeah, he knows what he has to do if he wants to return. So, it's up to him."

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts on December 2, 2023 © Reuters

Ten Hag was later asked whether Sancho was on full pay at Old Trafford, but the head coach was not prepared to discuss the finer details, responding: "I think that is an internal matter."

The ex-Manchester City youngster will again be missing against Bournemouth on Saturday, and it is highly likely that he has played his final game for the club.

Sancho, who made the move to Man United from Dortmund in the summer of 2021, has found it difficult to make his mark at Old Trafford, only managing 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances.

The forward featured off the bench in his side's opening three matches of the 2023-24 campaign, with his last appearance coming against Nottingham Forest at the end of August.

Barcelona have also been credited with an interest in Sancho, but it is believed that Juventus and Dortmund are the two favourites to sign him in the winter market at this moment in time.